Man dies after worksite explosion in Harkaway

UPDATE: Authorities are working to recover the body of a construction worker who was killed in an explosion in Melbourne’s south east. 

The man was working on a housing development site in Harkaway about 11am on Monday when an underground explosion rocked the site.

The victim was trapped in a three-metre trench before police confirmed he had died about 12.30pm. 

It is understood workers had been drilling holes and planting explosives to prepare the ground for pipe work. 

Experts are working to declare the site safe so the man’s body can be recovered. 

Worksafe is on the scene and investigating.